£40m with buy-back or £50m without buy-back: Tottenham learn condition to sign midfield target
Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as serious contenders to sign Liverpool’s talented attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott this summer, with the 22-year-old reportedly seeking more regular first-team opportunities.
The young Englishman finds himself at a career crossroads, with Liverpool unable to guarantee him the playing time his development demands. While Bundesliga side RB Leipzig have also registered interest, Spurs appear to be leading the chase for his signature.
Elliott represents exactly the kind of creative spark Tottenham desperately need following James Maddison’s ACL injury, which will keep their star playmaker sidelined for several months.
The Liverpool academy product has already demonstrated his Premier League pedigree during limited appearances for the champions, showcasing versatility to play both centrally and out wide.
His technical quality, vision, and eye for goal could make him an ideal long-term replacement for Maddison in Tottenham’s system.
According to transfer insider Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool have set clear terms for any potential deal. Tottenham face two distinct options: pay £50 million for a clean transfer without strings attached, or accept a reduced £40 million fee that includes a buyback clause.
This presents Daniel Levy with a strategic dilemma. While the cheaper option might appeal to Spurs’ notoriously frugal chairman, accepting a buyback clause could see them essentially developing a player for their rivals.
“Liverpool would reluctantly consider letting Elliott leave for the right fee,” O’Rourke revealed. “The discussion centers around £40 million with a buyback option, or £50 million without that clause. It’s now up to Tottenham to decide which structure works best for them.”
From a sporting perspective, Elliott would immediately bolster Tottenham’s attacking options. His energy and creativity in the final third would help compensate for Maddison’s absence while providing competition for places across multiple positions.
The youngster’s familiarity with English football means he could hit the ground running, unlike potential imports from overseas leagues.
Financially, the decision carries significant implications. Paying the premium to exclude the buyback clause would demonstrate Tottenham’s commitment to building for the future rather than acting as a feeder club for rivals.
However, the £10 million difference could prove crucial for a club needing to strengthen multiple areas of their squad.
Elliott’s potential arrival would signal Tottenham’s ambition to compete at the highest level while solving an immediate creative shortage.
His age profile fits the club’s strategy of investing in young, hungry talent with resale value. Whether Levy will sanction the additional expenditure to secure Elliott unconditionally remains the pivotal question as the transfer window enters its decisive phase.
With preseason preparations underway and the Premier League kickoff approaching, Tottenham must weigh short-term needs against long-term strategy.
Elliott represents more than just a stopgap solution – he could be a cornerstone of the club’s future. The coming days will reveal whether Spurs are willing to pay the price, both financially and philosophically, to bring the Liverpool prodigy to North London on their terms.